this is an American issue that I believe we see good consensus on both sides to solve these problems.

To spur reform and excellence in our schools, the President's Race to the Top competition rewards states that choose to adopt state-developed common standards that build toward college- and career-readiness.

Educating every American student to graduate prepared for college and for success in a new workforce is a national imperative.

Today the major reforms of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act that I signed into law last spring take effect, marking a significant turning point for American consumers.

These new rules don't absolve consumers of their obligation to pay their bills, but they finally level the playing field so that every family and small business using a credit card has the information they need to make responsible…

For too long, credit card companies have had free rein to employ deceptive, unfair tactics that hit responsible consumers with unreasonable costs.

We still have photographs of some of you that we may use at any point.

The truth is, the reason it worked is because of some very tough choices that many of you made.

I don't want to see this meeting turn into political theater.

But it's not just Californians who are being hit by rate hikes.

During these difficult economic times, we will work to help responsible homeowners stay in their homes and stabilize the housing market so home values can rise.

I love Vegas!

This is your opportunity to show me why your school exemplifies the best that our education system has to offer.

Government can't stop every foreclosure.

That won't work. It will not work in this global economy, not in this environment.

We ran to solve problems that folks like you are facing every single day.

Public schools that encourage systemic reform and embrace effective approaches to teaching and learning help prepare America's students to graduate ready for college and a career, and enable them to out-compete any worker, anywhere in the…

Good luck - and thank you for doing your part to help make our students the best and brightest in the world.